Mary and Robert's South Tampa wedding featured a modern, romantic and whimsical theme to complement their soft pink, white and navy color palette.
“We got married in February, close to Valentine’s Day, and I did not want any red. However, I wanted it to feel romantic, so my bridesmaids' dresses were a rose water pink and my bouquets were light pink and white. I chose formal navy tuxes for the men,” the bride explained.
Mary's Jenny Yoo bridesmaids dresses were inspired by her Christos Tilly off-the-shoulder wedding gown.
“When looking at designers online, I found many of the designers I liked were carried at Bella Bridesmaids in Tampa. I bought my farewell brunch dress at Bellas as well!” the bride shared.
MORE: BELLA BRIDESMAIDS WEDDINGS
With pet-friendly hotel and guest accommodations at downtown Tampa's Le Méridien Tampa, the couple knew they couldn't imagine saying ‘I do' without their dogs by their side. With the marble steps and beautiful columns flanking the hotel, Le Méridien provided the perfect backdrop for wedding portraits with the bridal party and fur babies.
“Hiring FairyTail Pet Care was probably one of the easiest decisions of my wedding planning, and the first thing I booked after my dog-friendly wedding venue!” Mary beamed. “FairyTail are warm and loving people who truly care about our animals. They were absolutely wonderful, and my family and friends were in awe of how clever their business is! I watch my dogs' video on a regular basis!”
MORE: FAIRYTAIL PET CARE WEDDINGS
Searching for a Tampa Bay wedding live musicians who could keep the party alive throughout the night, the couple hired Phase5 Band.
“I wanted a band who could keep everyone on the dance floor. I had heard Phase5 many times and enjoyed working with them!” the bride gushed.
Looking back on their wedding day, Mary knew without hesitation that the ceremony was one of her most memorable moments from their big day.
“Having our entire family and closest friends there to celebrate the love between Robert and myself in that room, I was overwhelmed with emotions. I could not keep the tears back, and while saying our vows, I found out both wedding parties and majority of our guests were in tears, which reassured me that I was marrying my true love,” the bride reminisced.
Why did you include your pet in your wedding?
I knew I couldn’t imagine my wedding day without my dogs. They are my children.
I want to learn more about including my pet in my wedding from FairyTail Pet Care
Hiring FairyTail Pet Care was probably one of the easiest decisions of my wedding planning, and the first thing I booked after my dog friendly wedding venue! They are warm and loving people who truly care about our animals. They were absolutely wonderful, and my family and friends were in awe of how clever their business is! I watch my dogs' video on a regular basis! They were so wonderful to work with, and their goal is to make your day special with your animals which you never thought could happen!
What did you look for in a “getting ready” hotel?
Le Méridien Tampa is one of the very coolest historic hotels in the Tampa Bay area. With the marble floor and their grand staircase, how could I choose anything else? With my large party of 20, the front steps fit perfectly as our backdrop. It also added the drama of me walking down the staircase for our first look!
When choosing my hotel I asked what the wedding suite included, in this case Le Méridien Tampa had a private bedroom/bathroom and a large living room with a kitchenette which allowed for my large bridal party and hair and makeup to fit perfectly. My husband and I were able to stay in the room that night! I was surprised to find out that our hotel was extremely affordable being a boutique hotel, and they allowed me to add rooms after the fact to ensure all my guests were given the same room block rate.
What was your bridesmaids dress inspiration?
Their dresses were created by Jenny Yoo and inspired by my Christos Tilly Wedding Gown off the shoulder look. It was a beautiful rosewater pink dress which all of my bridesmaids felt comfortable and beautiful in! I felt they flowed very well with the wedding.
I Want to Learn More about wedding attire from Bella Bridesmaids.
When looking at designers online, I found many of the designers I liked were carried at Bella Bridesmaids. I bought my farewell brunch dress at Bellas as well!
The Proposal:
Robert whisked me away to San Francisco and Napa Valley for New Year's Eve. The goal was to propose in Napa Valley at our first stop, but his nerves got the best of him and with the time change, he proposed in our hotel room hours before our descent to Napa!
How would you describe your theme/wedding design inspiration?
Modern, romantic, and whimsical.
What were your colors and why did you choose them?
Soft pink, white, and navy. We got married in February, close to Valentine’s Day, and I did not want any red. However, I wanted it to feel romantic, so my bridesmaids' dresses were a rose water pink and my bouquets were light pink and white. I chose formal navy tuxes for the men.
How did you incorporate you and your spouse's personalities into the wedding?
We had both of our favorite craft beers, and Robert's groom cake was a movie reel based on his work.
What did you look for in a wedding band?
A band who can keep everyone on the dance floor. I had heard Phase5 Band many times and enjoyed working with them!
I Want to Learn More about Entertainment from Phase 5 Band.
Josh, the lead singer, was very responsive and accommodating with my music choices. Their style is up beat, and they can command a crowd! They played Tupelo Honey for my father-daughter dance! Van Morrison is one of my dad's favorite bands.
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
You can make your planning process as exciting or as stressful as you want. Choose to enjoy this time not only with your significant other, but your family and friends as well. This will be forever one of your most memorable events! Listen to your vendors; they are the experts and will not steer you wrong! Get yourself a planner, at least a day-of. They will help you more than you know! Take it all in at your wedding, walk around look at the calm before the storm, and take pride in what you both planned to make this day truly yours!
Ceremony and Reception Venue and Caterer: Oxford Exchange
Photographer: Limelight Photography
Videographer, Planner and String Duo: Breezin' Entertainment *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Florist: Northside Florist
Cake: Hands on Sweets
Band: Phase5 Band *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Officiant: Kevin Adler
Invitations: The Write Stuff
Transportation: OMG Trolley
Dress Shop: The White Magnolia Bridal Collection
Bridesmaid Dress Shop: Bella Bridesmaids *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Pet Care: FairyTail Pet Care *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
Hair & Makeup: Bethany Fox
Hotel Accommodations: Le Méridien Tampa
Sparkler Exit: Spark Wedding Events *Marry Me Tampa Bay Preferred Wedding Pro
